Two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a precarious position, sitting at 0-2. Injuries have ravaged the team, with significant players sidelined, leaving head coach Sean McVay searching for answers amid a rocky start.
Key Players Sidelined
One of the critical blows to the Rams' causes has been the absence of star wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Kupp is expected to miss an extended period due to a left ankle sprain, a setback reminiscent of his 2022 injury, which required season-ending surgery. The loss of Kupp, a fundamental piece of the Rams' offense, clearly impacts the overall dynamics of the team.
Adding to the woes, the Rams are also without guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III, both of whom are nursing shoulder injuries. This trio's inclusion in the injured reserve list seems more likely by the day as the team navigates through their struggles. McVay hinted at this possibility, stating, "We're kind of running out of those [injured reserve] spots, and we're only into Week 3 in terms of the return to play, but that is a possibility for all of those guys."
Offensive Line Woes
Compounding the team's issues is an offensive line in disarray, something McVay did not shy away from addressing. "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild," he said, emphasizing the instability that has plagued the unit. Quarterback Matthew Stafford felt the brunt of this instability, throwing for 216 yards in a losing effort against the Arizona Cardinals. Sacked five times and losing a fumble, Stafford's protection problems are evident, and his average time to throw of 3.25 seconds — the league’s fifth-longest in Week 2 — illustrates the line's inefficiency.
Stafford's availability is crucial, given his past ailments. He missed the latter half of the 2022 season due to a spinal cord contusion and a concussion, highlighting the importance of keeping the veteran quarterback upright and healthy.
Defensive Changes
The defense has not been immune to the injury bug either. The retirement of Aaron Donald has undoubtedly weakened the defensive front seven. The Rams now rely heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, first and second-round picks in 2024, to fill the void. This upheaval comes at a time when the Rams' secondary is also shorthanded, with corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick on injured reserve.
The team's current injury predicament contrasts sharply with their relatively good fortune last season. "The Rams' good fortune last season included the fourth-fewest injuries on offense and the fewest on defense," observes sportswriter Frank Schwab. "It went from 146.6 AGL in 2022 to 26.4 last season, which is an incredible shift and shows how injury luck often has no rhyme or reason." This marked improvement in injury luck last season now seems like an aberration as the team braces for potentially another injury-marred campaign.
Historical Challenges and Future Prospects
Historically, no NFL team starting a season 0-3 has ever captured a Super Bowl title, casting a shadow over the Rams' prospects if they fail to secure a win in the coming weeks. They face an uphill battle as they eye the 2025 draft, where the Rams hold their own first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks, along with additional sixth-round picks acquired from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans.
The Rams are at a crossroads early in the season, their campaign marred by injuries and inauspicious performances. Whether they can navigate these adversities to find success remains to be seen, but the next few weeks will be crucial for McVay and his team as they strive to find stability and reclaim their footing in the league.